Astrology insight: Clinton vs Trump and Beyond

Astrology insight: Clinton vs Trump and Beyond

It is sound mundane astrological advice to place the horoscope of a nation a notch higher than the horoscopes of individuals who only grace the world stage for a short while.  The general vibe in the collective is expressed by the mundane transits – and the horoscope of the country indicates how the horoscope is responding to these trends. Meanwhile the secondary progressed horoscope of the country indicates the country’s evolution and its developing needs. If we take the Obama campaign in 2008 as an example. On election day (Nov 4th) Saturn and Uranus were exactly opposite each other, in Virgo, Pisces. Barack Obama largely funded his campaign through collecting small internet donations from a broad base of supporters. Obama’s campaign motto ‘Change we can believe in’, his Afro-American roots, his Moon in Aquarius (the same sign as the US Moon), the fact that he would be the first black President, all these things combined suggested that Obama was playing the role of Uranus. At the time, the US was rounding off transit Uranus trine radix Sun and was clearly resonating with Uranus. The much older Republican candidate, John McCain played the role of Saturn. Pluto’s ingress into Capricorn in January 2008 signalled the start of what would become a long deep financial crisis and the country was totally fed up with the Bush government. On election day, the country went with the mantra ‘change’.
The last time a presidential election was held in the year of a Saturn/Neptune square, was in November 1980, and it was a landslide win for Ronald Reagan. As things stand, Hillary is definitely ahead in the polls and short of an act of God, I can’t see how anything will stop her at this stage. The birth time of Clinton is highly contested so it is not possible to judge events in the light of her birth chart with accuracy.

Astrology insight: Clinton vs Trump and Beyond
But what is the collective vibe? The last year or more, Jupiter in Virgo opposed Neptune in Pisces, and both planets squared Saturn in Sagittarius. This shape shifting, unsettling transiting t-square left an empty space in Gemini,  i.e. the space exactly opposite the focal planet, Saturn. The energy peaked in June just before the UK Referendum on Europe. It was interesting to see the Gemini’s lining up to seize their moment in the limelight. Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn, and in the US, Donald Trump are three Gemini’s definitely worth a mention. With the recent Jupiter/ Libra ingress, the relentless mental and spiritual poundings of Jupiter in Virgo have subsided. The final Saturn/Neptune square has also passed. This particular t-square is no longer in its prime. Donald Trump – whose secondary progressed Sun had been lording it in Leo – looks less sparkly since it crossed the boundary of Virgo in mid August. In terms of essential dignity – Donald Trump’s sun has now passed its peak of influence. Trump has a radix Saturn/Venus conjunction in Cancer which falls exactly on the US Mercury – ruler of the US seventh house of partners but also of open enemies. I think many Americans are concerned about having someone like Donald Trump as a spokesperson for the country. As things stand Trump’s secondary progressed Moon is currently in 23 degrees Cancer. Cancer is always concerned with the past which it can never quite let go of. At this time, Trump’s demeaning behaviour towards women, is clawing back to pinch him. The nation is tuned in. Mercury rules okay!

Astrology insight: Clinton vs Trump and Beyond
Hillary Clinton however, is a totally different kettle of fish. If ever a Presidential nominee embodied Pluto, I believe Clinton to be this person. Pluto in Capricorn is closely bound up with the establishment, the networks and corridors of power, the scheming behind closed doors, the relentless pursuit of ambition, the acquisition of wealth, the dreaded ‘invisible hand’.  Whitewater, Filegate, Travelgate, Podesta, her deleted emails, the Clinton Foundation troubles, Hillary Clinton has been round the block so many times she should be dizzy. Yet, the muck doesn’t stick. When others go ‘low’, well.. Hillary just goes ‘high’.

At this point, I want to touch on the bigger picture and events that are not just related to the US but are visible in Europe as well. Pluto’s current placement in Capricorn is part of an of axis, which has Cancer at its opposite pole. Massage one end of this axis – and the other side is automatically invoked. Cancer is Moon ruled and in astrology the Moon is related to the people. Pluto in Capricorn has made us deeply aware of the profound cultural changes that have taken place which have transformed the work force and society as a whole. We have entered a post-industrial age and there is growing divide between the rich and poor. The collapse of manufacturing, the global markets, cheap labour, outsourcing, the influx of newcomers, the rules of austerity which have shrunk the welfare state, have led to resentment and to the emergence of new forms of populism. The core message of people like Nigel Farage and Donald Trump is anti-establishment (Capricorn) and authoritarian. It is about the so called wisdom of the ordinary people. Or in the words of Nigel Farage ’the little people have had enough’. There can be no doubt that this is Moon talk. Populist leaders like Nigel Farage and Donald Trump reject outsiders and support and defend the ‘old fashioned values’. Viewed from this perspective the emergence of Donald Trump is totally within the current planetary remit. Donald Trump’s Sun is trine the US Moon. A vote for Trump, Farage, Brexit is a vote against the above mentioned rapid cultural change that Pluto in Capricorn has made us acutely aware of.

Astrology insight: Clinton vs Trump and Beyond
The horoscope for what certainly looks to be the Clinton inauguration is interesting as it blows new life into the cardinal cross that dominated the astrological atmosphere in 2014 (see chart below). Venus – ruler of the US 10th house – is exalted in Pisces and the Moon is in Hillary’s Sun Sign, Scorpio. It is in fact on her Sun/Venus midpoint in Scorpio. Which ever way you look at it, this is a great personal  victory for her and for women in general. By antiscion, the US Moon falls exactly conjunct Clinton’s Scorpio Sun: the American people and this lady it seems are destined to do business. I just wonder how Clinton’s Mars, Saturn, Pluto conjunction in Leo will navigate the US 8th house??  It is hard not to imagine secret dealings or conflicts of interest arising here. The inauguration planets form an almost exact bowl – which means all the planets are within 180 degrees – with just the Scorpio Moon and Jupiter in Libra neatly tucked away under the horizon.

Astrology insight: Clinton vs Trump and Beyond

I called this article, Clinton vs Trump and Beyond. So what’s next. I have a few ideas which I will be embroidering on here in the months ahead. Look for example at the horoscope for beyond this current term, towards a possible Clinton second term. The 2020 election will be held on November 3rd and seems to me to be a horoscope to watch. This horoscope once again has Mercury stationary – on this occasion in Libra. Remember Al Gore…..the stolen election.. the Florida recount… Exactly! On many levels 2020 is emerging as a year of importance.

Liz Hathway, DFAStrolS, MA Cultural Astrology and Astronomy